Humor sampling implement and method of humor sampling

ABSTRACT

A humor sampling implement includes a detection unit having a main frame part possessing a blood transfer channel to collect blood through a blood inflow port and transfer the blood to a blood outflow port, and a test paper for detecting glucose in the blood transferred through the blood transfer channel. The main frame part is furnished with a projection protruding in the blood transfer channel toward the blood outflow port. The blood transfer channel can be configured to include a first blood transfer channel opening to the blood inflow port and a second blood transfer channel connected to the first blood transfer channel, wherein the direction of blood transfer is different from that in the first blood transfer channel, and the projection is provided at an end portion of the first blood transfer channel on blood outflow port side so as to protrude in the second blood transfer channel.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a humor sampling implement for use inthe state of being mounted in a component measuring instrument used formeasurement of blood sugar level, for example, and to a method of humorsampling for collecting humor at the time of, for example, examinationor the like.

BACKGROUND ART

Hitherto, for measuring various components of blood, methods ofmeasuring a reaction product of a specific enzyme capable of reactingwith a specified component of blood have been investigated.Particularly, measurement of blood sugar level is important formonitoring the conditions of a patient, and self measurement of bloodsugar consisting in monitoring the daily variation of blood sugar levelby the patient himself has been recommended. Besides, in recent years,the number of diabetes patients has been increasing, and methods andmeans of measurement being simple and accompanied by little pain havebeen sought.

The measurement of blood sugar level is in many cases conducted byutilizing the oxidation of glucose (grape sugar) by an enzyme such asglucose oxidase and glucose dehydrogenase. At present, the measurementof blood sugar level is conducted by use of a blood sugar measuringinstrument based on a calorimetric method in which a test paper capableof coloration according to the quantity of glucose in blood is mountedon the instrument, blood is supplied to the test paper and developed onthe test paper so as to permit coloration, and the degree of colorationis optically measured (colorimetry) to thereby quantitatively detect theblood sugar level, an electrode type method in which the reactionproduct of the enzyme reaction is measured, or the like.

The colorimetric measurement of blood sugar level, in general, isconducted by use of a blood sugar measuring instrument to which a chip(humor sampling implement) with the test paper incorporated therein ismounted. The chip has a blood channel (humor transfer channel) throughwhich blood (humor) collected via a blood inflow port is transferred tothe test paper by utilizing capillarity.

Meanwhile, the blood has a comparatively high viscidity and may stagnatein the blood channel in some cases. Particularly, the stagnation ofblood is liable to occur at a part near the test paper of the bloodchannel (on the opposite side of the blood inflow port), or, in the caseof a blood channel in which the direction of blood transfer changes, thestagnation is liable to occur at the part where the blood transferdirection changes. In this case, it becomes impossible to measure theblood sugar level, the chip must be thrown away, and the patient isnecessarily subjected to re-sampling of blood, which means an addedburden on the patient.

In view of this, there has been proposed, for example in Japanese PatentLaid-open No. 2001-314394, a chip in which a convex part protruding in ablood channel toward the opposite side of the blood transfer directionis provided at the part where the direction of blood transfer in theblood channel changes. In this chip, with the convex part provided, itis intended to suppress the generation of meniscus in the vicinity ofthe convex part and to smoothly transfer the blood through capillarity.

In this chip, however, the convex part is provided on the blood inflowport side, and the countermeasure against the stagnation of blood at apart near the test paper is not satisfactorily contrived.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

There is a need for the prevent invention to provide a humor samplingimplement which is capable of transferring humor to a detection unitmore securely and speedily, and a method of humor sampling capable bywhich it is possible to sample humor more securely and speedily.

To attain the above need, according to the present invention, there isprovided a humor sampling implement including:

a main frame part having a humor transfer channel provided to collecthumor through a humor inflow port and transfer the humor to a humoroutflow port; and

a detection part provided at the main frame part to detect apredetermined component of the humor transferred through the humortransfer channel; wherein

the main frame part is provided with a convex part arranged so as to bein overlapped relationship with the detection part in plan view andprotruding in the humor transfer channel toward the humor outflow port.

By this it is possible to prevent the cross-sectional area of the humortransfer channel on the humor outflow port side from being increased, orto reduce the cross-sectional area; as a result, it is possible toprevent the efficiency of humor transfer from being lowered, or toenhance the efficiency of humor transfer. In addition, it is possible tofavorably prevent or suppress the generation of meniscus in the vicinityof the convex part.

From the foregoing, it is possible to transfer the collected humor tothe detection part more securely and speedily.

In the humor sampling implement according to the present invention, theconvex part is preferably provided at a position correspondingsubstantially to a center of the detection part.

In the humor sampling implement according to the present invention, itis preferable that the humor transfer channel has a first humor transferchannel opening to the humor inflow port, and a second humor transferchannel connected to the first humor transfer channel, the second humortransfer channel being different from the first humor transfer channelin a direction humor transfer; and

the convex part is provided at an end portion on humor outflow port sideof the first humor transfer channel of the main frame part so as toprotrude in the second humor transfer channel.

In the humor sampling implement according to the present invention, itis preferable that the direction of humor transfer in the first humortransfer channel and the direction of humor transfer in the second humortransfer channel are substantially orthogonal to each other.

In the humor sampling implement according to the present invention, itis preferable that V₁/V₂ is in a range of from 0.04 to 0.7, where V₁[mm³] is a volume of the convex part, and V₂ [mm³] is an inside volumeof the second humor transfer channel.

In the humor sampling implement according to the present invention, theconvex part preferably has a surface having been treated to behydrophilic.

In the humor sampling implement according to the present invention, thehumor transfer channel preferably has a cross-sectional area graduallydecreasing part of which the cross-sectional area gradually decreasesalong the direction toward the humor outflow port.

In the humor sampling implement according to the present invention, thecross-sectional area gradually decreasing part preferably has an R₁/R₂ratio in a range of from 0.3 to 0.8, where R₁ [mm²] is a minimumcross-sectional area, and R₂ [mm²] is a maximum cross-sectional area, ofthe cross-sectional area gradually decreasing part.

In the humor sampling implement according to the present invention, thecross-sectional area gradually decreasing part is preferably provided inthe vicinity of the humor outflow port of the humor transfer channel.

In the humor sampling implement according to the present invention, themain frame part preferably has a lower member, and an upper member whichis positioned on the lower member and which, together with the lowermember, defines a part of the humor transfer channel.

The humor sampling implement according to the present inventionpreferably includes a puncture needle provided at its tip end with asharp needle tip by which to puncture a skin, thereby causing the humorto flow out.

According to the present invention, there is provided a method of humorsampling in which a humor sampling implement as set forth in claim 1 isused.

According to the present invention, there is provided a method of humorsampling, including the step of collecting humor through a humor inflowport of a humor sampling implement, the humor sampling implementincluding:

a main frame part having a humor transfer channel provided to collecthumor through the humor inflow port and transfer the humor to a humoroutflow port; and

a detection part provided in the main frame part to detect apredetermined component of the humor transferred through the humortransfer channel; wherein

the main frame part is provided with a convex part arranged so as to bein overlapped relationship with the detection part in plan view andprotruding in the humor transfer channel toward the humor outflow port.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a oblique perspective view of one embodiment of a chip (ahumor sampling implement according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the chip shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a oblique perspective view, as viewed from the lower side, ofthe chip shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view along line A-A of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view along line B-B of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a detection unit possessed by the chip shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view along line C-C of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a component measuring instrument used with thechip (the humor sampling implement according to the present invention)mounted therein.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the component measuring instrument shown inFIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view along line X-X of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view along line Y-Y of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view along line Y-Y of FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 is a view of another configuration example of a second bloodtransfer channel (second humor transfer channel).

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Now, preferred embodiments of the humor sampling implement and themethod of humor sampling according to the present invention will bedescribed in detail below.

First, before describing the humor sampling implement and the method ofhumor sampling according to the present invention, a component measuringinstrument used with the humor sampling implement of the inventionmounted therein (thereto) will be described. In the followingdescription, as the component measuring instrument, an instrument whichincludes a puncturing means and which is capable of measuring(detecting) a predetermined component of humor collected via a cuticle(skin) will be described as a representative.

In addition, the site concerning the sampling of the humor of thecuticle (humor sampling site) is preferably a finger, but it may, forexample, be a hand (the palm, the back, a side part), an arm, a thigh,an earlobe or the like.

In the following description, blood as the humor, glucose (grape sugar)as the predetermined component, and a fingertip (finger) as the humorsampling site will be taken as representatives, respectively.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the component measuring instrument used with achip (the humor sampling implement according to the present invention)mounted therein, FIG. 9 is a side view of the component measuringinstrument shown in FIG. 8, FIG. 10 is a sectional view along line X-Xof FIG. 8, and FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 are each a sectional view along lineY-Y of FIG. 9. In the following description, in FIGS. 8 to 12, the leftside will be referred to as “the tip end”, the right side as “the baseend”, and in FIGS. 9 to 12, the upper side will be referred to as “theupper” or “the upper side”, and the lower side as “the lower” or “thelower side”.

The component measuring instrument (blood component measuringinstrument) 100 shown in the figures is an instrument used with the chip(the humor sampling implement according to the present invention) 1mounted thereto, and includes a main frame 200, a hold member 300 forcontaining and holding a puncturing means 500, a pushing mechanism 700,an ejecting mechanism 800, a measuring means 900, a control means 1100provided on a circuit substrate 1000, a display unit 1200, amicro-switch 1300, and a battery (power supply unit) 1400. Now, thecomponent elements will be described below.

The main frame 200 is box-like in shape, and contains therein the holdmember 300, the pushing mechanism 700, the ejecting mechanism 800, themeasuring means 900, the circuit substrate 1000 provided with thecontrol means 1100, the display unit 1200, the micro-switch 1300 and thebattery (power supply unit) 1400.

The main frame 200 is provided in its tip end face 210 with an opening230 penetrating through the inside and outside of the main frame 200.The opening 230 is formed to correspond to the cross-sectional shape ofthe chip 1. The chip 1 is mounted in (mounted to) a chip mounting part310 formed at a tip end portion of the hold member 300 via the opening230. As a result, a condition where the chip 1 is mounted in thecomponent measuring instrument 100 (hereinafter referred to as “the chipmounted condition”) is obtained.

The chip mounting part 310 is provided in its right inside surface (inFIGS. 11 and 12, the side surface on the upper side) with a groove 311along the longitudinal direction thereof. At the time of mounting thechip 1 to the component measuring instrument 100, a rib 9 formed at abase end portion of a casing 3 which will be described later is insertedin the groove 311, and the groove 311 guides the rib 9.

In addition, the main frame 200 is moderately curved in shape on bothsides thereof, whereby the component measuring instrument 100 can begripped easily and securely.

The main frame 200 is provided in its upper surface 220 with a hole part250, and an operation button 260 is provided in the hole part 250.

The component measuring instrument 100 is so configured that pushing ofthe operation button 260 causes the puncturing means 500 (describedlater) to operate. Incidentally, a configuration may be adopted in whichpushing the operation button 260 turns ON the power supply for thecomponent measuring instrument 100.

Besides, the upper surface 220 of the main frame 200 is provided on itsbase end side with a display window (opening) 240 penetrating throughthe inside and outside of the main frame 200, and the display window 240is closed with a plate-like member formed of a transparent material.

The display unit 1200 is disposed on the lower side of the displaywindow 240. Therefore, various kinds of information displayed on thedisplay unit 1200 can be confirmed through the display window 240.

The display unit 1200 is composed, for example, of a liquid crystaldisplay device (LCD) or the like. For example, ON/OFF of the powersupply, the power supply voltage (residual power of the battery), themeasured value, the measurement date and time, an error indication, anoperation guidance and the like can be displayed on the display unit1200.

In addition, the circuit substrate 1000 provided with the control means1100 and the battery 1400 are provided on the lower side of the displayunit 1200.

The control means 1100 is composed, for example, of a microcomputer, andcontrols the operations of the component measuring instrument 100, basedon the decision of whether blood has been sampled or not, or the like.Besides, the control means 1100 incorporates an arithmetic unit forcomputing the glucose level (blood sugar level) in the blood based on asignal from the measuring means 900 which will be described later.

The battery 1400 is electrically connected to the measuring means 900,the control means 1100, the display unit 1200 and the micro-switch 1300so as to supply electric power required for the operations of thesecomponents.

On the upper side of the hold member 300, the measuring means 900 isprovided so as to face the chip mounting part 310. The measuring means900 optically detects the supply (collection) of blood to a test paper(detection unit) 73 possessed by the chip 1, and optically measure theglucose level in the blood developed on the test paper 73. The measuringmeans 900 is composed of an optical block, and is disposed at a positionfacing the test paper 73 in the chip mounted condition (in the vicinityof a lateral side of the test paper 73).

Since the measuring means 900 thus has both the function of detectingthe collection of the blood and the function of measuring the amount ofglucose in the blood developed on the test paper 73, the number ofcomponent parts can be reduced and the configuration can be simplified,as compared with the case where the detecting means and the measuringmeans are provided separately. Besides, the number of assembling stepsof the instrument can be reduced.

The control means 900 has a block body 910, and a light emitting device(light emitting diode) 920 and a light receiving device (photodiode) 930which are fixed to the block body 910.

The light emitting device 920 is electrically connected to the controlmeans 1100, and the light receiving device 930 is electrically connectedto the control means 1100 through an amplifier and an A/D converterwhich are not shown in the figures.

The light emitting device 920 operates, to emit light, in response to asignal from the control means 1100. The light is preferably pulsed lightwhich is intermittently emitted at a predetermined time interval.

When the light emitting device 920 is turned ON in the chip mountedcondition, the light emitted from the light emitting device 920 isincident on the test paper 73, and the reflected light is received bythe light receiving device 930, to be subjected to photo-electricconversion. An analog signal according to the amount of light receivedis outputted from the light receiving device 930, the signal isamplified in a desired manner by the amplifier, the amplified signal isthen converted into a digital signal by the A/D converter, and thedigital signal is inputted to the control means 1100.

Based on the signal inputted, the control means 1100 decides whether theblood has been sampled or not, i.e., whether the blood has beendeveloped on the test paper 73 of the chip 1 or not.

Besides, based on the signal inputted, the control means 1100 performs apredetermined arithmetic processing, and performs correction calculationor the like as required, to determine the amount of glucose in the blood(blood sugar level). The blood sugar level thus determined is displayedon the display unit 1200.

The pushing mechanism 700 and the micro-switch 1300 are provided on thelower side of the hold member 300 so as to face the chip mounting part310.

In the chip mounted condition, the pushing mechanism 700 pushes the chip1 to position the chip 1 relative to the hold member 300. The pushingmechanism 700 is located so as to face the measuring means 900 whichwill be described later, through the chip mounting part 310.

The pushing mechanism 700 is disposed in a hole part 340 communicatedwith the chip mounting part 310 of the hold member 300, and is composedof a plunger 720 and a spring (biasing member) 730 for biasing theplunger 720 upwards.

At an outer peripheral part of an intermediate part of the plunger 720,a flange 740 serving as a spring seat is projectingly formed. A tip endportion (upper end portion) of the plunger 720 is so configured as to beinserted in a recessed part 36 of the chip 1 which will be describedlater, in the chip mounted condition, whereby the chip 1 is favorablypushed toward the measuring means 900 side.

In addition, a lid member 360 is fixed to the hold member 300 by screws360 a and 360 b, so as to seal the hold part 340.

The spring 730 is set in a compressed state, and both ends thereof abutrespectively on the inside surface of the lid member 360 and the plunger740, whereby the plunger 720 is biased upwards by the spring 730.

Incidentally, while the plunger 720 is thus biased by the spring 730,the flange 740 is engaged with a step part 370 formed at the hole part340 and, therefore, the plunger 720 is prevented from penetratingfurther into the chip mounting part 310.

By the pushing mechanism 700 as above, the chip 1 is positioned relativeto the hold member 300 (component measuring instrument 100) in the chipmounted condition.

The micro-switch 1300 is for detecting whether the chip 1 is mounted inthe chip mounting part 310 or not.

The micro-switch 1300 is disposed in a hole part 380 communicated to thechip mounting part 310 of the hold member 300, and the hole part 380 issealed by the structure in which the lid member 390 is fixed to the holdmember 300 by the screws 390 a, 390 b.

In addition, the ejecting mechanism 800 is provided in the inside, onthe tip end side, of the hold member 300 (in the vicinity of the opening230 in the main frame 200). The ejecting mechanism 800 has the functionof discharging the chip 1 from the component measuring instrument 100,and is composed of an eject pin 810 capable of moving toward the tipend, and a lever (not shown) for moving the eject pin 810 toward the tipend.

In the chip mounted condition, the eject pin 810 is in the inside of thehole member 300, and its tip end portion is in contact with a flange 39of the chip 1 which will be described later (see FIG. 11). With thelever slid from this condition, the eject pin 810 is moved in the insideof the hold member 300 toward the tip end, and pushes the flange 39toward the tip end. By this, the chip 1 is moved relative to thecomponent measuring instrument 100 toward the tip end, and is disengagedfrom the chip mounting part 310 (the component measuring instrument100).

Besides, another configuration example may be adopted in which, forexample, an eccentric cam having a rotational axis on the tip end siderelative to the hold member 300 (in the vicinity of the opening 230 inthe main frame 200) is disposed, and the eccentric cam is rotated so asto push the flange 39 of the chip 1 toward the tip end.

In addition, the puncturing means 500 is contained and held in theinside of the hold member 300. In other words, the puncturing means 500is mounted to the main frame 200 of the component measuring instrument100 through the hold member 300. Therefore, the hold member 300 can becalled a mounting member (structural member) for mounting the puncturingmeans 500 to the main frame 200.

The puncturing means 500 is for operating a puncture needle 5 (needlebody 51) which will be described later, so as to puncture a cuticle witha needle tip 511, and has a plunger 510 and a spring (biasing member)520 for biasing the plunger 510 in the direction of the tip end.

The plunger 510 is rod-like as a whole, and has a plunger main body 514and a pair of arm parts 512. The arm parts 512 are each formed at a tipend portion of the plunger main body 514 integrally with the plungermain body 514.

The plunger main body 514 is passed through a support part 580, and isset movable within a predetermined range in its longitudinal direction.

The arm parts 512 are each provided with a recessed part 513 in theinside surface of a tip end portion thereof. A connection part 524 ofthe puncture needle 5 which will be described later is disengageablyfitted in the recessed part 513, whereby the puncture needle 5 isconnected to the puncturing means 500 in the chip mounted condition. Inother words, tip end portions of the arm parts 512 constitute a holderpart 530 for connecting and holding the puncture needle 5.

In addition, at an intermediate part in the longitudinal direction ofthe plunger 510 (in the vicinity of a boundary part between the plungermain body 514 and the arm part 512), a flange 540 serving as a springseat is projectingly formed.

In the chip mounted condition, the spring 520 is in a compressed state,and both ends thereof abut on the flange 540 and a part (not shown) ofthe hold member 300, whereby the plunger 510 is biased in the directionof the tip end.

This condition is maintained by the locking of an elastically deformableelastic piece 550 to the flange 540 (see FIG. 11). The elastic piece 550has one end portion 551 fixed (firmly attached) to the hold member 300,and has the other end portion serving as a lock part 552 for locking tothe flange 540; with the one end portion 551 as a fulcrum (fixed end),the lock part 552 is displaced toward and away from the plunger 510 (asindicated by two-dotted chain lines in FIG. 11).

Besides, in this condition, a space 560 is formed between the elasticpiece 550 and the hold member 300. When an unlocking member 571 shown inFIG. 10 is inserted into the space 560, the elastic piece 550 iselastically deformed so that the lock part 552 is spaced from theplunger 510. As a result, the locking of the flange 540 by the elasticpiece 550 is canceled, and the plunger 510 is pushed by the spring 520to be thereby moved in the direction of the tip end (see FIG. 12).

As shown in FIG. 10, the unlocking member 571 is formed as one body witha plate member 570 which is cantilever supported relative to the holdmember 300, with its one end portion 572 as a fixed end and with itsother end portion as a movable end. On the side of the other end portionof the plate member 570, a pushing part 573 is formed at a positioncorresponding to the operation button 260.

In addition, a spring 574 is provided between the pushing part 573 andthe hold member 300.

With the operation button 260 depressed, the pushing part 573 of theplate member 570 is pushed downwards, and, attendant on this, theunlocking member 571 is moved downwards to be inserted into the space560. In this instance, the spring 574 is set into the compressed state,to bias the operation button 260 upwards through the pushing part 573 ofthe plate member 570. Therefore, when the pressing on the operationbutton 260 is canceled, the operation button 260 is pushed upwards bythe spring 574 through the pushing part 573, to be moved substantiallyback into its original position.

The component measuring instrument 100 as above is used with the chip(the humor sampling implement according to the present invention) 1mounted thereto. Now, the chip (the humor sampling implement accordingto the present invention) 1 will be described in detail below.

FIG. 1 is a oblique perspective view of one embodiment of the chip (thehumor sampling implement according to the present invention), FIG. 2 isan exploded perspective view of the chip shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is aoblique perspective view as viewed from the lower side of the chip shownin FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a sectional view along line A-A of FIG. 1, FIG. 5is a sectional view along line B-B of FIG. 1, FIG. 6 is a plan view of adetection unit possessed by the chip shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 7 is asectional view along line C-C of FIG. 6. Incidentally, in FIGS. 1 to 7,the left side will be referred to as “the tip end”, and the right sideas “the base end”; in FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 7, the upper side will bereferred to as “upper” or “upper side”, and the lower side as “lower” or“lower side”; and in FIG. 3, the upper side will be referred to as“lower” or “lower side”, and the lower side as “upper” or “upper side”.In FIG. 1 and FIG. 6, the test paper is omitted.

The chip 1 shown in the figures has a casing 3 in which the punctureneedle 5 is contained, and a detection unit 7 to which the test paper(detection part) 73 is firmly attached (fixed). Now, the componentelements will be sequentially described below.

The puncture needle 5 is composed of a needle body 51, and a hub 52firmly attached (fixed) to the needle body 51.

The needle body 51 is composed of a hollow member or solid member formedof a metallic material, for example, stainless steel, aluminum, aluminumalloy, titanium, titanium alloy, or the like, and is provided at its tipend with a sharp needle tip (cutting edge) 511. The surface (skin) of afingertip is punctured with the needle tip 511, to cause blood (humor)to flow out of (bleed from) the puncture site.

The hub 52 is fixed (firmly attached) to the needle body 51 by, forexample, fusing, adhesion with an adhesive, fitting, caulking or thelike so that the needle tip 511 protrudes.

The hub 52 is composed of a cylindrical part 53 roughly cylindrical inshape on the tip end side, and a rectangular parallelepiped part 54roughly rectangular parallelepiped in shape on the base end side. Theoutside diameter (diameter) of the cylindrical part 53 and the height ofthe rectangular parallelepiped part 54 are set approximately equal toeach other.

The cylindrical part 53 is provided at its tip end portion with afitting part 531 enlarged in diameter relative to the outside diameterof the cylindrical part 53. The fitting part 531 is fitted into afitting part 35 of the casing 3 which will be described later.

The rectangular parallelepiped part 54 is provided at its tip endportion with a pair of projected part 541 projected sideways. Theprojected parts 541 each abut on a stepped part 34 of the casing 3 whichwill be described later.

In addition, the rectangular parallelepiped part 54 is provided at itsbase end portion with a connection part 542 having a shape correspondingto the shape of the holder part 530 of the plunger 510 described above.In the chip mounted condition, the connection part 542 is fitted in theholder part 530, whereby the puncture needle 5 is connected to theplunger 510 (the puncturing means 500).

The puncture needle 5 as above is movably provided in a lumen part 33possessed by the casing 3. The casing 3 is composed of a roughlyrectangular parallelepiped member, and is provided with a tip endopening 31 and a base end opening 32 for opening the lumen part 33 tothe exterior, respectively at the tip end and the base end thereof. Theneedle body 51 possessed by the puncture needle 5 passes through the tipend opening 31 to protrude from the tip end of the casing 3 (chip 1)(see FIG. 12).

As shown in FIG. 4, the lumen part 33 is composed of a first lumen part331 on the tip end side and a second lumen part 332 on the base endside.

The first lumen part 331 is roughly cylindrical in shape, and itscross-sectional area is set to be approximately equal to or a littlegreater than the cross-sectional area (maximum) of the fitting part 531of the hub 52. In addition, the second lumen part 332 is roughlyrectangular parallelepiped in shape, and its cross-sectional area is setto be approximately equal to or a little greater than thecross-sectional area (maximum) of the rectangular parallelepiped part 54(the part of the projected parts 541).

When the puncture needle 5 is moved relative to the casing 3, thefitting part 531 of the hub 52 is moved along the inside surface of thefirst lumen part 331, whereas the part of the projected parts 541 of thehub 52 is moved along the inside surface of the second lumen part 332.In this instance, the fitting part 531 and the projected portions 541serve as support parts.

In such a configuration, when the puncture needle 5 is moved relative tothe casing 3, the puncture needle 5 is supported on the casing 3 at twopositions of the fitting part 531 and the projected parts 541 of the hub52, i.e., at two positions in the longitudinal direction of the punctureneedle 5. Therefore, the puncture needle 5 can be moved smoothlyrelative to the casing 3, is prevented from unintentional shiftingrelative to the casing 3, and is moved in the direction of the tip endwith high rectilinearity of movement. Accordingly, it is possible tofavorably prevent an increase in the pain of the patient attendant onunintentional shifting of the needle tip 511 of the needle body 51.

In addition, since the shape of the first lumen part 331 and the shapeof the second lumen part 332 are different from each other, the casing 3has the stepped part 34 formed at the boundary part between the twolumen parts. Therefore, when the puncture needle 5 is moved in thedirection of the tip end, the projected parts 541 of the hub 52 comeinto contact with the stepped part 34. As a result of the abutment, themovement of the puncture needle 5 is stopped, and the length ofprotrusion of the needle tip 511 of the puncture needle 5 from thecasing 3 is restricted. Namely, in this embodiment, the stepped part 34formed in the casing 3 and the projected parts 541 formed on the hub 52of the puncture needle 5 and abutting on the stepped part 34 constitutea protrusion length restricting means. With the protrusion lengthrestricting means thus provided, puncturing of a finger (humor samplingsite) to an excessively large depth can be prevented from occurring.

Further, since the fitting part 531 and the projected parts 541 servingas support parts make only partial contact with the casing 3, thefrictional resistance at the time of movement of the puncture needle 5relative to the casing 3 is small, and the movement proceeds smoothly.Accordingly, it is easy to control the movement of the puncture needle 5relative to the casing 3.

In addition, the first lumen part 331 is provided at its base endportion with a fitting part 35 reduced in diameter as compared with theinside diameter of the first lumen part 331. The fitting part 531 of thepuncture needle 5 is fitted in the fitting part 35. By this fitting, thepuncture needle 5 is fixed relative to the casing 3.

The fitting force (fixing force) between the fitting part 35 and thefitting part 531 is set to be greater than the force required forconnecting the connection part 542 of the puncture needle 5 to theholder part 530 of the puncturing means 500 (the plunger 510). Thisensures that the puncture needle 5 can be connected to the puncturingmeans 500 without any trouble.

Besides, the force required for fitting the fitting part 531 in thefitting part 35 is set to be a little greater than the force requiredfor canceling the connection between the connection part 542 of thepuncture needle 5 and the holder part 530 of the puncturing means 500.This setting produces the following functions or effects.

In the chip 1 after use, the fitting part 531 of the puncture needle 5is located on the tip end side relative to the fitting part 35 of thecasing 3. When the casing 3 is moved in the direction of the tip endfrom this condition in order to disengage the chip 1 from the componentmeasuring instrument 100, the puncture needle 5 connected to thepuncturing means 500 is relatively moved toward the base end side,whereby the fitting part 531 is fitted into the fitting part 35.Substantially simultaneously with this fitting or before or after thefitting, the connection between the connection part 542 of the punctureneedle 5 and the holder part 530 of the puncturing means 500 isreleased, and the chip 1 is disengaged from the component measuringinstrument 100. In the chip 1 thus disengaged from the componentmeasuring instrument 100, the fitting part 531 is fitted in the fittingpart 35 either substantially wholly or partly, and the puncture needle 5is fixed relative to the casing 3. Therefore, even where the tip end ofthe chip 1 is directed vertically down, the needle tip 511 of thepuncture needle 5 is prevented from protruding from the tip end of thecasing 3, and, even where the base end of the chip 1 is directedvertically down, the puncture needle 5 is prevented from slipping offfrom the casing 3. Thus, dangers such as mistaken damaging of a skin orthe like, scattering of blood with the result of contamination of thesurroundings, etc. can be prevented, and high safety can be secured.

The fitting part 35 of the casing 3 is provided with tapered parts 351and 352 at its tip end portion and base end portion, respectively.

In the assembling step of the chip 1, the puncture needle 5 is insertedvia the base end opening 32 of the casing 3, and the fitting part 531 ofthe hub 52 is fitted into the fitting part 35 of the casing 3; in thiscase, since the tapered part 352 is formed at the base end portion ofthe fitting part 35, the fitting operation can be easily performed.

On the other hand, since the tapered part 351 is provided at the tip endportion of the fitting part 35, the fitting of the fitting part 531 ofthe hub 52 into the fitting part 35 of the casing 3 can be carried outmore easily and securely, at the time of disengaging the chip 1 from thecomponent measuring instrument 100 as above-mentioned.

In addition, the lower surface of the casing 3 is, provided with arecessed part 36 and a guide groove 37 in recessed or sunken forms.

The recessed part 36 is a part in which a tip end portion of the plunger720 (pushing mechanism 700) is inserted in the chip mounted condition,and the recessed part 36 is formed to have a shape corresponding to theshape of the tip end portion of the plunger 720.

The guide groove 37 is formed along the longitudinal direction of thecasing 3, from the base end of the casing 3 to the vicinity of therecessed part 36. The guide groove 37 has the function of guiding thetip end portion of the plunger 720 (pushing mechanism 700) to therecessed part 36. With the guide groove 37 provided, the tip end portionof the plunger 720 can be guided to the recessed part 36 more smoothlyand securely.

The cross-sectional shape of the guide groove 37 is set to correspond tothe longitudinal sectional shape of the tip end portion of the plunger720.

In addition, the guide groove 37 may be formed in continuity with therecessed part 36; in this embodiment, however, they are not incontinuity, and a bank part 38 is formed between the guide groove 37 andthe recessed part 36.

In this configuration, at the time of mounting the chip 1 to thecomponent measuring instrument 100, the tip end portion of the plunger720 is moved toward the recessed part 36 while being guided by the guidegroove 37, and rides over the bank part 38, to reach the inside of therecessed part 36. In this instance, a click feeling is obtained, so thatthe secure mounting of the chip 1 into the chip mounting part 310 can berecognized, which is convenient.

Besides, the casing 3 has a pair of flanges 39 projectingly formed onboth side surfaces of a tip end portion thereof. In the chip mountedcondition, the flanges 39 each abut on the tip end of the main frame 200of the component measuring instrument 100. At the time of disengagingthe chip 1 from the component measuring instrument 100, the eject pins810 are each moved in the direction of the tip end, and their tip endsabut on the flanges 39, to push the flanges 39 in the direction of thetip end. By this, the chip 1 is moved relative to the componentmeasuring instrument 100 in the direction of the tip end, and isdisengaged from the chip mounting part 310 (the component measuringinstrument 100).

In addition, the upper surface of the casing 3 is provided with a pairof opposed wall parts 40, a wall part 41, and projections 42. The wallparts 40 are erected along both side parts on the tip end side of thecasing 3, and the wall part 41 is erected at an intermediate part in thelongitudinal direction of the casing 3, substantially orthogonally tothe longitudinal direction. The detection unit 7 which will be describedlater is mounted into the region surrounded by the wall parts 40 and 41.Namely, the part of the region constitutes a detection unit mountingpart for mounting the detection unit 7 therein.

On the inside of the wall parts 40, a pair of the projections 42 areerected in contact with the wall parts 40. The projections 42 areinserted into recessed parts 723 formed in a cover 72 of the detectionunit 7 respectively, whereby the detection unit 7 is positioned andfixed relative to the chip 1. Incidentally, in this condition, the tipend position of the detection unit 7 and the tip end position of thecasing 3 substantially coincide with each other.

The detection unit 7 is for detecting the glucose (predeterminedcomponent) in blood (humor).

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the detection unit 7 has a main frame part70, and a test paper (detection part) 73 provided in the main frame part70.

The main frame part 70 constitutes a part which supports the test paper73 and which serves for mounting of the detection unit 7 to the casing3. The main frame, part 70 is composed of a base (lower member) 71, anda cover (upper member) 72 piled on the base 71.

The base 71 is composed of a flat plate-like member. The base 71 isprovided with a groove 711 opening to the upper side. The groove 711 isformed in a roughly rectilinear shape and along the longitudinaldirection of the base 71. In addition, the groove 711 is opened at thetip end of the base 71.

The cover 72 is composed of a roughly regular parallelepiped member. Thelower surface of the cover 72 is provided with a recessed part 724 alongthe longitudinal direction thereof. The base 71 is firmly attached(fixed) to the inside of the recessed part 724.

The upper surface of the cover 72 is provided at its base end portionwith a test paper placing part 721 on which to place the test paper 73.The test paper placing part 721 is composed of a recessed part which isroughly circular (plane shape corresponding to the test paper 73) inplan view, and the bottom surface thereof is provided in its centralarea with a through-hole 722 communicated with the recessed part 724.

In the condition where the base 71 is firmly attached to the inside ofthe recessed part 724 of the cover 72, the space formed (defined)therebetween and the through-hole 722 formed in the cover 72 constitutea blood transfer channel (humor transfer channel) 74 for transferringblood (humor).

Examples of the method for firm attachment between the base 71 and thecover 72 include fusing (heat fusing, ultrasonic fusing, high-frequencyfusing), pressure sensitive adhesion, adhesion with an adhesive, etc.

In addition, the cover 72 is provided with a pair of recessed parts 723in both side surfaces thereof. The projections 42 of the casing 3 areinserted in the recessed parts 723, whereby the detection unit 7 ispositioned and fixed relative to the chip 1.

Besides, the cover 72 is provided with a recessed part at its tip end,and, at this recessed part, a tip end portion of the groove 711 formedin the base 71 is exposed to the exterior of the detection unit 7. Thisrecessed part constitutes a blood point adhesion part 725 to which toadhere the blood being protuberant on the cuticle upon puncture. Withthe blood adhered to the blood point adhesion part 725, the blood isintroduced into the blood transfer channel 74 efficiently.

The test paper placing part 721 is composed of a recessed part 751 forcontaining the test paper 73, and a recessed part 752 formed on thelower side of the recessed part 751 and smaller in diameter than therecessed part 751. The recessed part 752 is provided with theabove-mentioned through-hole 722 in its bottom surface. The recessedpart 751 has an upper edge part being tapered, and has a plurality ofpedestal parts 753 erected on the bottom surface thereof so as tosurround the periphery of the recessed part 752.

In this embodiment, the pedestal parts 753 are roughly conical, and ninepedestal parts 753 are provided at roughly equal intervals along theperiphery of the recessed part 752. In the condition where the testpaper 73 is placed on the test paper placing part 721, each of thepedestal parts 753 supports a peripheral part of the test paper 73 withits part near its apex part.

In addition, the bottom surface of the recessed part 752 is provided,along an opening (blood outflow port 742) of the through-hole 722, witha plurality of pedestal parts 754 and with an annular (ring-shaped)groove 755 at the boundary part between itself and the recessed part751.

The pedestal parts 754 are composed of small pieces provided in theshape of a cross intersecting at the opening of the through-hole 722,and are tapered so that their height is gradually reduced outwards.

The pedestal parts 754 have the function of supporting the test paper 73together with the pedestal parts 753, and their parts near their apexparts support a part near a central part of the test paper 73 (aprojected part 731 of the test paper 73 which will be described later).

In the configuration as above, in the condition where the test paper 73is placed on the test paper placing part 721, a comparatively large gap756 is formed (defined) between the lower surface of the test paper 73and the upper surface of the test paper placing part 721 (particularly,the recessed part 752). The gap 756 is communicated with the bloodtransfer channel 74 via the spaces between the pedestal parts 754.

The gap 756 as above functions as an air vent for the blood transferchannel 74, and the pneumatic pressure prevents the sampled blood fromstagnating in the course of the blood transfer channel 74.

In addition, the gap 756 also has the function of assisting(accelerating) the development of blood on the test paper 73.Specifically, the blood flowing out of the through-hole 722 (the bloodtransfer channel 74) is supplied to the test paper 73 while spreadingradially in the gap 756, so that the development of the blood on thetest paper 73 occurs more speedily and uniformly.

The blood transfer channel 74 has a blood inflow port 741 opening to thetip end of the detection unit 7, and the blood outflow port 742 openingto the upper side of the detection unit 7.

In addition, the blood transfer channel 74 in this embodiment iscomposed of a first blood transfer channel (first humor transferchannel) 744 formed (defined) by the base 71 and the cover 72, and asecond blood transfer channel (second humor transfer channel) 745continuous with the first blood transfer channel 744 and composed of thethrough-hole 722.

With this configuration, i.e., with the configuration in which a part ofthe humor transfer channel is defined by the base (lower member) 71 andthe cover (upper member) 72, the blood transfer channel 74 having alarge overall length and a small sectional area can be comparativelyeasily formed through a simple method, as compared with the case where,for example, a fine hole part is bored in a block-like member to form ablood transfer channel 74 as a whole.

Besides, the first blood transfer channel 744 opens to the blood inflowport 741 and extends along the longitudinal direction of the detectionunit 7, whereas the second blood transfer channel 745 extends along thethickness direction of the detection unit 7 and opens at the bloodoutflow port 742. In other words, the blood transfer direction in thefirst blood transfer channel 744 (direction A in FIG. 7) and the bloodtransfer direction in the second blood transfer channel 745 (direction Bin FIG. 7) are substantially orthogonal to each other. In addition, theblood outflow port 742 opens at roughly the center of the test paperplacing part 721 (the test paper 73).

The blood contacting the blood point adhesion part 725 is introduced viathe blood inflow port 741 into the first blood transfer channel 744, andis transferred in the first blood transfer channel 744 by capillarity.Next, the blood reaching the boundary part between the first bloodtransfer channel 744 and the second blood transfer channel 745 ischanged in transfer direction by about 90° so as to be along the insidewall surface of the second blood transfer channel 745, and istransferred in the second blood transfer channel 745 up to the bloodoutflow port 742 in a drawn-up manner by the capillarity in the secondblood transfer channel 745. Then, the blood flowing out of the bloodoutflow port 742 is supplied to the test paper 73 while spreadingradially in the gap 756.

Incidentally, in the following description, the blood transfer directionin the blood transfer channel 74 will be referred to simply as “thetransfer direction”, the section along the direction parallel to thetransfer direction in the blood transfer channel 74 will be referred toas “the longitudinal section”, and the section along the directionperpendicular to the transfer direction will be referred to as “thecross-section”.

In the blood transfer channel 74 as above, the shapes and sizes ofrespective parts and the like are preferably set as follows. Now, theshapes and sizes of the first blood transfer channel 744 and the secondblood transfer channel 745 and the like will be described below.

The cross-sectional area (average) of the first blood transfer channel744 is not particularly limited, and is preferably in the range of about0.05 to 30 mm², more preferably about 0.1 to 10 mm². If thecross-sectional area (average) of the first blood transfer channel 744is too small, the transfer of blood by capillarity (hereinafter referredto simply as “the blood transfer”) is slow, and a long time is needed toobtain a sufficient amount of blood. On the other hand, if thecross-sectional area (average) of the first blood transfer channel 744is too large, it is difficult to achieve the blood transfer.

The cross-sectional shape of the first blood transfer channel 744 may beany shape, for example, tetragon such as rectangle, square, rhombus,etc., triangle, hexagon, octagon, circle, ellipse, or the like; however,the shape is preferably a rectangle (as shown in FIG. 2, thecross-sectional shape of the groove 711 is angular U-shaped). Thisensures that the amount of blood remaining in the first blood transferchannel 744 can be reduced.

From this point of view, the cross-sectional shape of the first bloodtransfer channel 744 is particularly preferably a thin type(small-height) rectangle; in this case, the height is preferably about0.05 to 0.5 mm, and the width is preferably about 0.5 to 3 mm, morepreferably about 0.5 to 1 mm.

In addition, the length of the first blood transfer channel 744 (overalllength: L₁ in FIG. 7) is appropriately set according to thecross-sectional area (average) of the first blood transfer channel 744,and is not particularly limited; however, the length is preferably about1 to 25 mm, more preferably about 5 to 20 mm.

On the other hand, the cross-sectional area (average) of the secondblood transfer channel 745 is also preferably in the range of about 0.05to 30 mm², more preferably about 0.1 to 10 mm², by the same reason asdescribed above for the first blood transfer channel 744.

In addition, the cross-sectional shape of the second blood transferchannel 745 is also not particularly limited, and may be any shape, likethe cross-sectional shape of the first blood transfer channel 744.

In this embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the second bloodtransfer channel 745 is roughly the same as the bottom part shape of aconvex part 743 which will be described later. Specifically, thecross-sectional shape is roughly circular, as shown in FIG. 6.

Besides, the cross-sectional area of the second blood transfer channel745 is set to be approximately equal to the area of the bottom part ofthe convex part 743, as shown in FIG. 7, and the cross-sectional area issubstantially constant along the transfer direction. Namely, the secondblood transfer channel 745 is in the form of a straight pipe. Thisconfiguration makes it possible to realize an efficient blood transfer(upward drawing of blood) even in the second blood transfer channel 745in which the blood transfer against gravity is performed.

The length of the second blood transfer channel 745 (overall length: L₂in FIG. 7) is appropriately set according to the cross-sectional area(average) of the second blood transfer channel 745, and is notparticularly limited; however, the length is preferably in the range ofabout 0.1 to 1.0 mm, more preferably about 0.4 to 0.8 mm.

Incidentally, the second blood transfer channel 745 may be configured asshown in FIG. 13. FIG. 13 shows another configuration example of thesecond blood transfer channel (second humor transfer channel).

The second blood transfer channel 745 shown in FIG. 13 is so shaped thatits cross-sectional area is gradually reduced toward a blood outflowport 742, and constitutes a cross-sectional area gradually decreasingpart. This structure accelerates the blood transfer, and make itpossible to achieve a more efficient blood transfer.

In this case, R₁/R₂ is preferably in the range of from 0.3 to 0.8, morepreferably from 0.4 to 0.7, where R₁ [mm²] is the minimumcross-sectional area of the second blood transfer channel 745, and R₂[mm²] is the maximum cross-sectional area of the channel. This ensuresthat the accelerating effect on the blood transfer in the second bloodtransfer channel 745 is displayed more conspicuously.

Meanwhile, in the present invention, the main frame part 70 of thedetection unit 7 is provided with a convex part 743 arranged to be inoverlapped relationship with the test paper 73 (be directly under thetest paper 73) in plan view and protruding in the blood transfer channel74 toward the blood outflow port 742 (test paper 73).

In this embodiment, the convex part 743 is provided at the bottomsurface of an end portion on the humor outflow port 742 side of thefirst blood transfer channel 744 of the main frame part 70 (base 71) (atthe boundary part between the first blood transfer channel 744 and thesecond blood transfer part 745) so as to protrude in the second bloodtransfer channel 745.

With the convex part 743 thus provided, the cross-sectional area of theblood transfer channel 74 on the blood outflow port 742 side can beprevented from increasing, or the cross-sectional area can be reduced.As a result, the efficiency of the blood transfer can be prevented frombeing lowered, or can be increased. In addition, while the transfer ofblood from the first blood transfer channel 744 into the second bloodtransfer channel 745 occurs after the space at the boundary part betweenthe first blood transfer channel 744 and the second blood transferchannel 745 is sufficiently filled with the blood, the provision of theconvex part 743 ensures that the inside volume of the space at theboundary part between the first blood transfer channel 744 and thesecond blood transfer channel 745 is reduced, and the transfer isachieved speedily. Further, it is also possible to favorably prevent orsuppress the generation of meniscus in the vicinity of the convex part743. These points ensure that the collected blood can be transferred tothe test paper 73 more securely and speedily.

Therefore, measurement of blood sugar level can be efficientlyperformed, without such troubles as the trouble that the blood stagnatesin the blood transfer channel 74 and the chip 1 should be discardedwastefully or the patient should be subjected to blood sampling again.

Here, V₁/V₂ is preferably in the range of from 0.04 to 0.7, morepreferably from 0.05 to 0.5, where V₁ [mm³] is the volume of the convexpart 743, and V₂ [mm³] is the inside volume of the second blood transferchannel 745. With V₁/V₂ in the range, the above-mentioned effect can befurther enhanced.

The convex part 743 is provided at a position corresponding to the bloodoutflow port 742 of the blood transfer channel 74, i.e., at a positioncorresponding roughly to the center of the test paper 73. This ensuresthat the transfer and supply of the blood to the test paper 73 areachieved more smoothly.

The shape of the convex part 743 may be any shape, and is preferablysuch a shape that the cross-sectional area is reduced toward the upperside (for example, a artillery projectile-like shape or the like), asshown in FIG. 7. This ensures that the change in the transfer directionfrom the first blood transfer channel 744 to the second blood transferchannel 745 is also achieved favorably.

In addition, where the shape of the convex part 743 is different fromthe above-mentioned shape, examples of the shape (longitudinal sectionalshape) include tetragon such as square, rhombus, trapezoid, etc.,triangle, hexagon, octagon, circle, ellipse, and the like.

The convex part 743 preferably has a surface treated to be hydrophilic.This ensures that the blood can be transferred toward the blood outflowport 742 of the blood transfer channel 74 more speedily.

The treatment for rendering the surface hydrophilic can be carried outby a physical activating treatment such as plasma treatment, glowdischarge, corona discharge, irradiation with UV rays, etc., orapplication of (coating with) surfactant, water-soluble silicone,hydroxypropyl cellulose, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, orthe like.

From these points of view, it is preferable that the inside surfaces ofthe first blood transfer channel 744 and the second blood transferchannel 745 are also preliminarily treated to be hydrophilic.

Examples of the method for obtaining the convex part 743 and the base 71as above include (I) a method of integrally molding them by injectionmolding, (II) a method of applying etching to a parent material toobtain predetermined shapes, (III) a method of forming the surface of aflat plate-like parent material into predetermined shapes by use of aprinting process, (IV) a method of firmly attaching (fixing) apredetermined shaped member to the surface of a flat plate-like parentmaterial, etc. According to the methods of (I) and (II), the convex part743 and the base 71 high in dimensional accuracy can be obtained easily.Besides, according to the methods of (III) and (IV), it is possible tocontrive a reduction in the production cost of the convex part 743 andthe base 71. Incidentally, the methods of (I) to (IV) may be used incombination of arbitrary two or more of them.

At the test paper placing part 721 as above-mentioned, the test paper 73is firmly attached (fixed) to the pedestal parts 753 and the pedestalparts 754 by, for example, fusing, adhesion with an adhesive, or thelike method.

The test paper 73 is capable of detecting glucose contained in the bloodtransferred through the blood transfer channel 74, and, for example, hasa reagent (coloration reagent) carried on (impregnating) a carrier(absorber) capable of absorbing the blood. The carrier is preferablycomposed of a porous film. In this case, the porous film preferably hassuch a pore diameter that erythrocytes in the blood can be filtered.

The use of the carrier composed of the porous film ensures that, in thecase where the reagent for impregnation is particularly a reagent systemincluding the process of reaction with oxygen as a substrate such as anoxidase reaction, even in the condition where the blood accepting sideis covered with blood after development of the blood on the test paper73, oxygen in the atmospheric air is supplied from the reaction side(opposite side), so that the reaction can be made to proceed swiftlyand, therefore, the colored condition can be detected without removingthe blood.

Other than the porous film, examples of the carrier of the test paper 73include sheet form porous base materials such as non-woven fabric, wovenfabric, oriented sheet, etc.

Examples of the material constituting the carrier of the porous film orthe like include polyesters, polyamides, polyolefins, polysulfones,celluloses, etc. For impregnating the carrier with an aqueous solutioncontaining the reagent dissolved therein or for speedily performing theabsorption and development of blood at the time of sampling the blood,the constituent material is preferably a hydrophilic material or amaterial treated to be hydrophilic by the same method asabove-mentioned.

In addition, the carrier of the test paper 73 may have a single-layersheet configuration or may have a multi-layer configuration in which aplurality of sheets fare laminated.

While the shape in plan view of the carrier of the test paper 73 isroughly circular in the configuration shown in the figure, the shape maybe any other shape, for example, tetragon such as rectangle, rhombus,etc., triangle, hexagon, octagon, ellipse and the like.

In the case of measurement of blood sugar level, examples of the reagentwith which the carrier (porous film) is to be impregnated includeglucose oxidase (GOD), peroxidase (POD), and color formers (coloringreagents) such as 4-aminoantipyrine,N-ethyl-N-(2-hydroxy-3--sulfopropyl)-m-toluidine, etc. Other than theabove, according to the component to be measured, examples of thereagent include the reagents capable of reaction with a blood component(predetermined component), such as ascorbic acid oxidase, alcoholoxidase, alcohol dehydrogenase, galactose oxidase, fructosedehydrogenase, cholesterol oxidase, cholesterol dehydrogenase, lacticacid oxisase, lactic acid dehydrogenase, bilirubin oxidase, xanthinoxidase, etc., and the same color formers (coloring reagents) asabove-mentioned. Besides, a buffer such as phosphoric acid buffer mayfurther be contained. Incidentally, the kind or component of the reagentis naturally not limited to these.

In addition, the test paper 73 has a projected part 731 formed near acentral part thereof. In the condition where the test paper 73 is placedon the test paper placing part 721, the projected part 731 makes contactwith and is supported by the pedestal parts 754. This ensures that thetest paper 73 can be stably fixed by the test paper placing part 721,and non-uniform development of blood on the test paper 73 due todeformation (curving, distortion, waving or the like) of the test paper73 can be prevented from occurring.

A lid body 8 is mounted to a tip end portion of the chip 1 so as toclose the lumen part 33 of the casing 3. The lid body 8 is mounted tothe chip 1 before use (the chip 1 yet to be used), and is detached atthe time of using the chip 1. The lid body 8 has a main body part 81 anda fitting part 82.

The fitting part 82 is roughly cylindrical in shape, and its outsidediameter is set to be approximately equal to or a little greater thanthe inside diameter of a first lumen part 331 of the casing 3.

The fitting part 82 is inserted and fitted into a tip end portion of thefirst lumen part 331 of the casing 3. By this, the lid body 8 is mountedto the casing 3 (the chip 1). Incidentally, the fitting part 82 istapered at an edge part of a base end portion thereof, whereby thefitting part 82 can be inserted into the first lumen part 331 of thecasing 3 more easily.

Before use, the chip 1 is in the condition where the fitting part 531 ofthe hub 52 (the puncture needle 5) is fitted in the fitting part 35 ofthe casing 3, and, when the fitting part 82 of the lid body 8 is mountedto a tip end portion of the casing 3 by fitting, the seal performance ofthe first lumen part 331 of the casing 3, i.e., the seal performance ofthe lumen part 33 of the casing 3 where the needle tip 511 of the needlebody 51 (the puncture needle 5) is located is secured. This preventsbacteria from penetrating into the first lumen part 331. Therefore, thesterilized condition obtained by a sterilizing treatment applied to thechip 1 is maintained until the lid body 8 is detached from the chip 1.

Here, the expression “the seal performance of the lumen part 33 issecured” means the condition where bacteria cannot substantiallypenetrate into the lumen part 33. Although it is preferable thatgas-tightness of the lumen part 33 is secured, the gas-tightness may notnecessarily be secured, and it suffices for the gas-tightness to be atsuch a level that the above-mentioned effect can be displayed favorably.

An enlarged diameter part 83 enlarged in diameter relative to theoutside diameter of the fitting part 82 is formed between the main bodypart 81 and the fitting part 82. When the lid body 8 is mounted to thechip 1, the base end surface of the enlarged diameter part 83 abuts onthe tip end surface of the casing 3, whereby the lid body 8 ispositioned relative to the chip 1.

The main body part 81 is roughly triangular in shape in plan view, andit is a part to be gripped by fingers or the like at the time when thelid body 8 is mounted to or detached from the casing 3.

The main body part 81 is provided at its central part with a convex part811 formed projectingly on a surface to be gripped by fingers or thelike. The convex part 811 has the function of preventing slip at thetime of gripping the main body part 81, i.e., it constitutes ananti-slip means. With the convex part 811 provided, the main body part81 can be gripped by fingers or the like more assuredly, and the lidbody 8 can be mounted to and detached from the casing 3 (the chip 1)more assuredly.

In addition, the lid body 8 is provided with a hole part 84 extendingalong the longitudinal direction thereof from the base end to anintermediate part of the main body part 81. The hole part 84 is a spacecapable of at least containing the needle tip 511 of the needle body 51(the puncture needle 5), and is so formed that the center axis of thehole part 84 and the center axis of the needle body 51 coincidesubstantially with each other. This ensures that, even when the punctureneedle 5 is unintentionally moved in the direction of the tip end (whenthe puncture needle 5 is erroneously jetted) in the condition where thelid body 8 is mounted to the casing 3, the needle body 51 is containedin the hole part 84 and, therefore, the needle tip 511 is prevented frombeing deformed or broken. Therefore, by returning to the condition wherethe fitting part 531 of the hub 52 is fitted in the fitting part 35 ofthe casing 3, the chip 1 can be again set into the unused state, so thatthe number of chips 1 thrown away wastefully can be reduced.

Examples of the materials constituting the hub 52, the casing 3, thebase 71 (inclusive of the convex part 743), the cover 72 and the lidbody 8 of the puncture needle 5 as described above include thermoplasticresins such as ABS resin, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene,polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride resin, polyphenylene oxide,thermoplastic polyurethane, polymethyl methacrylate, polyoxyethylene,fluoro-resin, polycarbonate, polyamide, acetal resin, acrylic resin,polyethylene terephthalate, etc., and thermosetting resins such asphenol resin, epoxy resin, silicone resin, unsaturated polyester, etc.Besides, for example, various ceramic materials, various metallicmaterials and the like may also be used as the constituent materials.

In addition, the chip 1 as above is provided with a mis-mountingpreventive means for preventing the chip 1 from being set in the wrongsense at the time of mounting the chip 1 to the component measuringinstrument 100. This makes it possible to favorably prevent malfunctionof the component measuring instrument 100 from occurring. Now, themis-mounting preventive means will be described in detail below.

At a base end portion of the casing 3 of the chip 1, a rib 9 isprojectingly formed on one side surface (right side surface). On theother hand, in the inside surface (right inside surface) of the chipmounting part 310 of the component measuring instrument 100, a groove311 is formed along the longitudinal direction. At the time of mountingthe chip 1 to the component measuring instrument 100, the rib 9 isguided by the groove 311.

Therefore, when it is intended to mount the chip 1 to the componentmeasuring instrument 100 in the wrong sense as to the verticaldirection, the groove 311 into which the rib 9 is to be inserted isabsent, so that the chip 1 cannot be mounted into (mounted to) the chipmounting part 310.

Besides, as has been described above, the wall parts 40, 41, theprojections 42 and the flange 39 are projectingly formed on the tip endside of the casing 3, and the shape of the chip 1 on the side of the tipend of the casing 3 and that on the side of the base end of the casing 3are considerably different from each other.

Therefore, when it is intended to mount the chip 1 to the componentmeasuring instrument 100 with mistakes as to the front-rear directionand the vertical direction, the chip 1 cannot be mounted into (mountedto) the chip mounting part 310, since the shape of the chip 1 on theside of the tip end of the casing 3 and that on the side of the base endof the casing 3 differ from each other.

Thus, the mis-mounting preventive means is composed of the structure inwhich the shape of the chip on the side of the tip end of the casing 3and that on the side of the base end of the casing 3 are different fromeach other, whereby the number of component parts and the productioncost of the chip 1 can be prevented from being increased.

In addition, where the detection unit 7 is for measurement of bloodsugar level as in this embodiment, the provision of the chip 1 with themis-mounting preventive means ensures that even a patient whose sighthas been conspicuously weakened (some of diabetes patients areconspicuously weakened in sight due to a complication) can mount thechip 1 correctly to the component measuring instrument 100, which isconvenient.

Now, the method (function) of using the chip 1 by mounting it in thecomponent measuring instrument 100, i.e., an example of the method ofblood sampling (the method of humor sampling according to the presentinvention), will be described below.

[1] First, the chip 1 is inserted via the opening 230 of the main frame200 into the chip mounting part 310 of the hold member 300, and theconnection part 542 of the puncture needle 5 is fitted into the holderpart 530 of the plunger 510. By this, the puncture needle 5 and thepuncturing means 500 are connected to each other.

Further, the chip 1 is pushed in the direction of the base end, whereonthe plunger 510 is moved in the direction of the base end against thebiasing force of the spring 520.

Here, in the condition before the insertion of the chip 1, the flange540 of the plunger 510 is located on the tip end side relative to thelock part 552. When the plunger 510 is moved in the direction of thebase end, an edge part of the flange 540 attendantly-abuts on the tipend surface (inclined surface) of the lock part 552, and pushes the tipend surface in the direction of spacing away from the plunger 510. Bythis, the elastic piece 550 is deflected, the lock part 552 is moved,and the flange 540 is moved toward the base end side by riding over thelock part 552.

As a result, the flange 540 is locked on the lock part 552 even when thepushing force exerted on the plunger 510 in the direction of the baseend by the chip 1 is released, so that the plunger 510 is restricted inmoving in the direction of the tip end. Incidentally, in this instance,the spring 520 is set in a compressed state.

With the chip 1 pushed in further in the direction of the base end, thebase end of the flange 540 abuts on the tip end of the support part 580,whereby the plunger 510 is inhibited from moving further in thedirection of the base end. By this, movement of the puncture needle 5 inthe direction of the base end is also inhibited, but since the casing 3is moved in the direction of the base end, the fitting of the fittingpart 531 of the puncture needle 5 in the fitting part 35 of the casing 3is released.

Besides, substantially simultaneously with this, a tip end portion ofthe plunger 720 of the pushing mechanism 700 is inserted into therecessed part 36 of the chip 1. By this, the chip 1 is positioned to anappropriate position in the chip mounting part 310, and the position ofthe test paper 73 relative to the pushing mechanism 700 is also madeappropriate.

In this condition (namely, the chip mounted condition), preparation forpuncturing with the puncture needle 5 and preparation for blood(specimen) sampling are completed. Thereafter, the lid body 8 mounted tothe chip 1 is detached.

[2] Next, substantially simultaneously with the mounting of the chip 1,the micro-switch 1300 is turned ON, whereby each part of the componentmeasuring instrument 100 is started, resulting in the condition wheremeasurement is possible.

[3] Subsequently, a fingertip (finger) is put in contact with the tipend of the chip 1. In this condition, the operation button 260 isdepressed, and the puncturing means 500 is operated.

First, in conjunction with the depressing of the operation button 260,the unlocking member 571 is also moved downwards, and inserted into thespace 560. By this, the lock part 552 is moved in the direction ofspacing away from the plunger 510, and the locking of the plunger 510 bythe lock part 552 is canceled.

In this instance, the spring 520 in the compressed state exerts itselastic force to move the plunger 510 in the direction of the tip end.The movement of the plunger 510 in the direction of the tip end causesthe puncture needle 5 to move in the direction of the tip end, and theneedle tip 511 of the needle body 51 passes through the tip end opening31 of the casing 3 to protrude from the tip end of the chip 1, therebypuncturing the skin (surface) of the fingertip.

Besides, in this instance, in the chip 1, the hub 52 of the punctureneedle 5 is moved while being supported on the casing 3 at two positions(the fitting part 531 and the projected part 541). Therefore,unintentional shifts of the puncture needle 5 relative to the casing 3are efficiently rectified, and the puncture needle 5 is moved in thedirection of the tip end with high rectilinearity. By this, an increasein the pain in the patient attendant on unintentional shifting of theneedle tip 511 of the needle body 51 can be prevented favorably.

In addition, the puncturing means 500 is provided with a spring (notshown) for pushing back the plunger 510 in the direction of the baseend, and the spring pushes back the plunger 510 in the direction of thebase end after the puncturing of a fingertip with the puncture needle 5.By the elastic force of the spring 520 and the elastic force of thepushing-back spring, the plunger 510 is made to repeat the movement inthe direction of the tip end and the movement in the direction of thebase end, and, after a while, the plunger 510 is left still at theposition where the elastic force of the spring 520 and the elastic forceof the pushing-back spring balance each other. In this instance, theneedle tip 511 of the needle body 51 is contained in the chip 1. Thus,the needle tip 511 of the needle body 51 is designed not to protrudefrom the tip end of the chip 1 at other times than the time ofpuncturing, so that mistaken damaging of a skin or the like is obviated,and high safety is realized.

[4] Next, the component measuring instrument 100 with the chip 1 mountedtherein (mounted thereto) is once placed on a desk or the like, and theperiphery of the site of puncture of a fingertip with the punctureneedle 5 is massaged with a finger of the other hand or the like, tocause blood to flow out of the puncture site.

[5] Subsequently, the component measuring instrument 100 is againgripped, and the blood point adhesion part 725 of the chip 1 is broughtinto contact with the blood being protuberant on the puncture site as aresult of the operation in [4] above.

Upon contact with the blood point adhesion part 725, the blood isintroduced via the blood inflow port 741 into the first blood transferchannel 744, and is transferred in the first blood transfer channel 744by capillarity. Then, the blood transferred in the first blood transferchannel 744 fills sufficiently the space at the boundary part betweenthe first blood transfer channel 744 and the second blood transferchannel 745, and is thereafter drawn up toward the blood outflow port742 due to the capillarity in the second blood transfer channel 745.

In this instance, since the convex part 743 is provided on the bottomsurface of an end portion, on the second blood transfer channel 745side, of the first blood transfer channel 744 so as to protrude alongthe axial direction of the second blood transfer channel 745 (toward theblood transfer direction), the space at the boundary part between thefirst blood transfer channel 744 and the second blood transfer channel745 is swiftly filled with the blood, and the blood is speedilytransferred into the second blood transfer channel 745, to be drawn uptoward the blood outflow port 742.

Then, the blood transferred in the second blood transfer channel 745 issupplied through the blood outflow port 742 to the test paper placingpart 721, and is supplied to the test paper 73 while spreading radiallyin the gap 756.

When the blood is supplied to the test paper 73, glucose in the bloodand the reagent react with each other at the test paper 73, resulting incoloration according to the amount of glucose.

[6] The coloration at the test paper 73 is detected by the measuringmeans 900. The measuring means 900 irradiates the test paper 73 withlight emitted from the light emitting device 920, then the reflectedlight is received by the light receiving device 930, and is subjected tophoto-electric conversion. Then, an analog signal according to theamount of light received is outputted from the light receiving device930, the signal is amplified as desired, and is converted into a digitalsignal by the A/D converter, and the digital signal is inputted to thecontrol means 1100.

[7] The control means 1100 performs a predetermined arithmeticprocessing based on the digital signal, besides, performs correctionssuch as temperature correction calculation and hematocrit valuecorrection calculation, as required, and determines the glucose level(blood sugar level) in the blood, i.e., determines the blood sugar levelquantitatively. Next, the blood sugar level thus determined is displayedon the display unit 1200, whereby the blood sugar level can be grasped.

According to this method, the blood in an amount necessary andsufficient for measurement can be sampled speedily and securely, and theblood sugar level (the amount of a predetermined component in the blood)can be accurately measured while using a smaller amount of blood.

[8] Next, with the ejecting mechanism 800 operated, the eject pin 810 ismoved in the direction of the tip end, to push the flange 39 in thedirection of the tip end. By this, the chip 1 is moved relative to thecomponent measuring instrument 100 in the direction of the tip end, andis detached from the chip mounting part 310 (the component measuringinstrument 100).

In this case, when the casing 3 is moved in the direction of the tipend, the puncture needle 5 connected to the puncturing means 500 isrelatively moved toward the tip end side, and the fitting part 531 isfitted into the fitting part 35. Besides, substantially simultaneouslywith this or before or after this, the connection between the connectionpart 542 of the puncture needle 5 and the holder part 530 of thepuncturing means 500 is canceled.

Thus, in the chip 1 detached from the component measuring instrument100, the fitting part 35 and the fitting part 531 are fitted to eachother either substantially wholly or partially, and the puncture needle5 is fixed relative to the casing 3.

[9] Next, the lid body 8 is mounted to a tip end portion of the chip 1,as required, and the chip 1 is thrown away.

While the humor sampling implement and the method of humor samplingaccording to the present invention have been described above based onthe embodiments shown in the figures, the invention is not limited tothe embodiments.

The configurations of the parts of the humor sampling implementaccording to the present invention can be replaced by arbitraryconfigurations inasmuch as they can display the same functions as thoseof the original.

For example, while a puncture needle integrated type humor samplingimplement in which a puncture needle and a detection unit are integratedhas been described as one example in the above embodiments, the humorsampling implement of the invention may be one not provided with thepuncture needle and the peripheral members, i.e., one composed of onlythe above-mentioned detection unit.

In addition, while the second humor transfer channel has been oneconstituting the cross-sectional area gradually decreasing part in theabove embodiments, the cross-sectional area gradually decreasing partmay be provided in the first humor transfer channel, and may be providedin each of the first and second humor transfer channels. In other words,the cross-sectional area gradually decreasing part can be provided at anarbitrary position in the humor transfer channel. Besides, the wholepart of the humor transfer channel may be composed of thecross-sectional area gradually decreasing part.

In addition, for example, while the configuration in which the punctureneedle is supported by the casing at two positions in the longitudinaldirection thereof at the time of moving the puncture needle relative tothe casing has been adopted in the above embodiments, the punctureneedle in the present invention may be supported by the casing at threeor more positions. This ensures that the rectilinearity of movement ofthe puncture needle is more enhanced.

Besides, while a system in which the humor transfer channel is composedof two transfer channels has been described in the above embodiments,the humor transfer channel may be composed of one transfer channel or becomposed of three or more transfer channels.

In addition, the humor transfer channel is not limited to the bent onebut may be one which is curved in the course of the humor transferdirection.

Besides, blood has been described as a representative of the humor to besampled in the above embodiments, the humor to be sampled in the presentinvention is not limited to blood but may be, for example, urine, sweat,lymph, cerebrospinal fluid, bile, saliva or the like.

In addition, glucose (blood sugar level) has been described as arepresentative of the component to be measured in the above embodiments,the component to be measured in the present invention is not limited toglucose (blood sugar level) but may be, for example, various sugars,cholesterol, lactic acid, hemoglobin (occult blood), uric acid,creatinine, various proteins, inorganic ions such as sodium ion, or thelike.

Besides, the measuring means has been described as one for measuring theamount of a predetermined component in the above embodiments, themeasuring means in the present invention may be one for measuring theproperty of a predetermined component, and may be one for measuring theamount and property of a predetermined component.

In addition, a detection unit in which coloration occurs through areaction of a predetermined component of humor with a reagent, i.e., adetection unit which is applicable to the system of optically detectinga predetermined component (coloration system), has been described in theabove embodiments, a detection unit applicable to an electrode typemethod (a system of electrically detecting a predetermined component)may also be adopted in the present invention. In that case, thedetection unit is provided with electrodes, and an appropriatecombination of at least one redox enzyme of the above-mentioned enzymesand at least one of electron acceptors such as potassium ferricyanide,ferrocene derivatives, quinone derivatives, and metallic complexes isused as a reagent for reaction with a predetermined component.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to the present invention, the collected humor can betransferred to the detection unit more securely and speedily. Therefore,the component measurement can be efficiently conducted, without thetrouble that the humor stagnates in the humor transfer channel with theresult that the humor sampling implement must be discarded wastefully orthat the patient is subjected again to humor sampling. In addition, bythe simple structure of providing a convex part and without using otherspecial equipment, the above-mentioned effect can be favorablydisplayed, so that a reduction in manufacturing cost can be contrived,and applicability to expendable use mode can be obtained. Therefore, thepresent invention has industrial applicability.

1. A humor sampling implement comprising: a main frame part having ahumor transfer channel provided to collect humor through a humor inflowport and transfer said humor to a humor outflow port; and, a detectionpart provided at said main frame part to detect a predeterminedcomponent of said humor transferred through said humor transfer channel;wherein said main frame part is provided with a convex part arranged soas to be in overlapped relationship with said detection part in planview and protruding in said humor transfer channel toward said humoroutflow port.
 2. The humor sampling implement as set forth in claim 1,wherein said convex part is provided at a position correspondingsubstantially to a center of said detection part.
 3. The humor samplingimplement as set forth in claim 1, wherein said humor transfer channelcomprises a first humor transfer channel opening to said humor inflowport, and a second humor transfer channel connected to said first humortransfer channel, said second humor transfer channel being differentfrom said first humor transfer channel in a direction of humor transferin which said humor is transferred along the humor transfer channel; andsaid convex part is provided at an end portion on a humor outflow portside of said first humor transfer channel of said main frame part so asto protrude in said second humor transfer channel.
 4. The humor samplingimplement as set forth in claim 3, wherein the direction of humortransfer in said first humor transfer channel and the direction of humortransfer in said second humor transfer channel are substantiallyorthogonal to each other.
 5. The humor sampling implement as set forthin claim 3, wherein V1/V2 is in a range of from 0.04 to 0.7, where V1[mm³] is a volume of said convex part, and V2 [mm³] is an inside volumeof said second humor transfer channel.
 6. The humor sampling implementas set forth in claim 1, wherein said main frame part has a lowermember, and an upper member which is positioned on said lower member andwhich, together with said lower member, defines a part of said humortransfer channel.
 7. The humor sampling implement as set forth in claim1, wherein said main frame part has a lower member, and an upper memberwhich is positioned on said lower member and which, together with saidlower member, defines a part of said humor transfer channel having afirst humor transfer channel opening to said humor inflow port and asecond humor transfer channel connected to said first humor transferchannel, a direction of humor transfer in said second humor transferchannel being substantially orthogonal to that in said first humortransfer channel; said convex part is provided at an end portion on ahumor outflow port side of said first humor transfer channel of saidmain frame part so as to protrude in said second humor transfer channeland is provided at a position corresponding substantially to a center ofsaid detection unit; and V1/V2 is in a range of from 0.04 to 0.7, whereV1 [mm³] is a volume of said convex part, and V2 [mm³] is an insidevolume of said second humor transfer channel.
 8. A method of humorsampling, wherein a humor sampling implement as set forth in claim 1 isused.
 9. A method of humor sampling, comprising: collecting humorthrough a humor inflow port of a main frame part of a humor samplingimplement; and introducing the humor collected at the humor inflow portto a humor transfer channel and transferring the humor along the humortransfer channel to a humor outflow port; the main frame part comprisinga projection protruding in said humor transfer channel toward said humoroutflow port.
 10. The method as set forth in claim 9, wherein thetransfer of the humor along the humor transfer channel comprisestransferring the humor collected at the humor inflow port along a firsthumor transfer channel which opens to said humor inflow port and along asecond humor transfer channel which is connected to said first humortransfer channel.
 11. The method as set forth in claim 9, wherein thetransfer of the humor along the humor transfer channel comprisestransferring the humor collected at the humor inflow port along a firsthumor transfer channel which opens to said humor inflow port andtransferring the humor along a second humor transfer channel which isconnected to said first humor transfer channel and which is oriented atan angle relative to the first humor transfer channel.
 12. The method asset forth in claim 9, wherein the transfer of the humor along the humortransfer channel comprises transferring the humor collected at the humorinflow port along a first humor transfer channel which opens to saidhumor inflow port and transferring the humor along a second humortransfer channel which is connected to said first humor transfer channeland which is orthogonally oriented relative to the first humor transferchannel.
 13. The method as set forth in claim 9, wherein the detectionof a predetermined component of said humor transferred through saidhumor transfer channel comprises supplying said humor that has beentransferred to the humor outflow port to a test paper which overliessaid projection.
 14. A humor sampling implement comprising: a main framepart provided with a humor inflow port, a humor outflow port and a humortransfer channel extending between the humor inflow port and the humoroutflow port; the main frame comprising a projection provided along saidhumor transfer channel to at least prevent an increase in across-sectional area of a portion of the humor transfer channel betweenthe projection and the humor outflow port; and a test paper provided atsaid main frame to absorb at least some of the humor supplied to thehumor outflow port and detect a component in the humor.
 15. The humorsampling implement as set forth in claim 14, wherein the projectionpossess a configuration such that a cross-sectional area of theprojection decreases toward the humor outlet port.
 16. A humor samplingimplement as set forth in claim 14, wherein the main frame partcomprises a lower member and an upper member, the upper member beingpositioned on top of the lower member, the upper member and lower membertogether defining a part of the humor transfer channel.
 17. The humorsampling implement as set forth in claim 14, wherein the humor transferchannel comprises a first humor transfer channel opening to the humorinflow port and a second humor transfer channel connected to the firsthumor transfer channel, the second humor transfer channel being orientedat an angle other than zero degrees relative to the first humor transferchannel.
 18. The humor sampling implement as set forth in claim 17,wherein the projection is provided at an end portion of the first humortransfer channel and protrudes into the second humor transfer channel.19. The humor sampling implement as set forth in claim 17, wherein V1/N2is in a range of from 0.04 to 0.7, where V1 [mm³] is a volume of theconvex part and V2 [mm³] is an inside volume of the second humortransfer channel.